“Not till we are lost, in other words not till we have lost the world, do we begin to find ourselves, and realize where we are and the infinite extent of our relations.” ~Henry David Thoreau, quote from Walden~ I’m one of those writers that needs to totally immerse herself in life to have anything …
When I was a little girl, I dreamed I was going to be someone really important someday. I didn’t know if I was going to compose music, write a prize winning novel or teach something meaningful, but the sense of being really special shone within me. As I approach yet another birthday, and also reflect …
Don’t judge each day by the harvest you reap but by the seeds that you plant.” …
Havesting Wisdom~oops I meant Potatoes(potato wedges) Read More »
All summer long I have had a mantra. “With Grace and Ease” let summer unfold.” Now here we are nearing the end and I’m not ready to say good bye. Is it just me, or is saying goodbye hard for you too? Along our life’s path, our …
I’m a big list maker. Ever since I can remember, I have made lists. Everything from the daily chores I want to accomplish, the books I want to read, places I want to travel and things I want to experience. Having laser eye surgery has been on my wish list for years now. Each January, …
A life without love is like a year without summer. ~Swedish Proverb Spring literally flew by for me with hardly a moment to think, let alone time to reflect and write a blog post. I missed you all though. I started working at my gardening gig on Earth’s day, April 22nd. An appropriate day to …
“Hope” is the thing with feathers – ~By Emily Dickinson~ Hope” is the thing with feathers – That perches in the soul – And sings the tune without the words – And never stops – at all – And sweetest – in the Gale – is heard – And sore must be the storm …
Welcome! Spring is here and our de-cluttering project is still in full swing. We have a garage piled with things slated for our upcoming garage sale. If anyone were to drive by when our garage door is open they would think we were hoarders! We still have a few areas to comb through; our camping …
“The simple things in life hold our best memories.” We eat a lot of pancakes in our house. Well, truth be told we also eat a lot of waffles and french toast too. My kid’s favourite thing is to have breakfast for dinner, so if my husband is out of town, I try to brighten …
What does being a mom and brownies have in common? They are both SWEET! Today is my first born daughter’s birthday. Her 25th Birthday to be exact. Happy Birthday Alyssa Rae! 25 Years ago I became a mom. Alyssa Rae at 6 months….pull out the camera and she smiles The road to motherhood started out …
Have you ever found a penny or a dime and felt that it was a sign just for you? If you have read my blog, you know that I have a thing for feathers. At least I used to find feathers all the time when I was on the journey to having our children. Every …
“Hence I cannot be silent, and indeed I ought not to be, about the many blessings and the great grace the Lord has deigned to bestow on me.” ~Saint Patrick~ And oh, like St. Patrick’s quote above, “I’ve been surely blessed!” Stepping away from de-cluttering for a moment, to celebrate the up and coming …
Irish Stew, Irish Soda Bread and Apple Sauce Cake Read More »
Even in the mud and scum of things, something always, always, sings.” ~ ~Ralph Waldo Emerson~ Have you ever noticed that when you are on a certain path all sorts of affirmations meet you at the exact time that you need inspiration. Well, I have been receiving messages almost daily and not surprisingly, they …
‘Tis the gift to be simple, ’tis the gift to be free, ’tis the gift to come down where we ought to be, and when we find ourselves in the place just right, ’twill be in the valley of love and delight. When true simplicity is gained to bow and to bend we shan’t be …
Thanks for popping in as I’m excited to share a few tips I have discovered on my early “moments” towards minimalism. The first one became very apparent to me yesterday when I woke up bleary eyed from a brief four hours of sleep the night before. (I had been writing my first blog about minimalism …
Minimalist Journey, TIP 1 & 2, and Spicy Bran Muffins Read More »
“Not all those who wander are lost.” ― J.R.R. Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring As you may or may not know, I’m a HUGE Lord of the Ring fan. Well, maybe not as massive a fan as my daughter Alyssa, who could probably teach a University level course on Tolkien’s writing and Middle …
~Saint Teresa of Avila~ I’m back! After a month long hiatus from my blog, I want to declare I am well. My computer however needed serious healing with the local computer geeks…but it now seems well too. While it was being repaired though, I was able to plough through my latest book club selection …
Wisdom to heal is within each of us Little did I know but this blog post was inspired early this morning, when I selected one of the tiny wisdom cards from my seashell. The words on the card said, “Slow down~When you move too fast, you miss so much.”~ These precious cards were given to …
This is what the lake and surrounding hills looked like on Christmas day 2014..so much for a white Christmas And then, this was a picture from our deck yesterday, January 5th, 2015. Looks like winter is finally here And not only has winter finally arrived but yesterday and today were SNOW DAYS! I don’t …
I had many creative ideas and things I wanted to share with all of you over the holidays but once December came, an avalanche of birthday parties, Christmas affairs, concerts and basketball games over took me. There really wasn’t even time for me to do my usual monumental baking fest. All I was able to …
Cranberry Bliss Bars and Eggnog Lattés~Happy Holidays Read More »
Welcome December and my busiest month of the year. Welcome to The Spa at Orchard Ridge As if this month isn’t busy enough, we have three children who all have birthdays in the next couple of weeks. We eat a lot of cake this month. Clark our oldest son, will turn 22 on December 20th …
Oh the blessing of free will. Some may call it a curse. Some may call it a gift. Last week, I made a number of excellent choices and then some that, in hindsight, I wished I had not made. But then even as I write these words I know, even our worst choices bring insights …
This was a shot from our deck at 7:30 this morning…our first snowfall of 2014 To put you in the mood as you read this blog post, play the following YouTube video clip. It’s from one of my favourite Christmas movie’s called, “White Christmas.” It’s called, “Snow.” (click on the hyper-link if you can’t view …
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old: Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning We will remember them. ~An excerpt from Laurence Binyon’s poem, “They Shall Grow Not Old”~ What does Remembrance day and lentil soup have …
Dearest blog readers, I’m sorry I haven’t written many posts this week but it’s been a birthday week for me. First, to celebrate my best friend T’s birthday on the 5th, and then mine yesterday. I’ve spent the whole week being introspective and reflecting on my wishes the last time I blew out a blaze …